April in Delhi is blooming bright with floral bouquets across parks and gardens. To add to the charm, the skies of Delhi are set to brighten up with a cosmic light show. The annual Lyrid meteor shower, or Lyrids, are set to brighten up Indian skies by the end of April. Before the unforgiving heat takes over, do catch sight of this rare cosmic delight, said to peak on April 22-23.
Lyrid meteor shower 2026
Said to be the world’s oldest recorded meteor showers, the Lyrids are famous for fast, bright flashes and fireballs streaking across night skies. Moreover, they have delighted the human skies for over 2,700 years. For aeons, the ancient Chinese astronomers from 687 BCE have described them as “stars that fell like rain”.
The falling stars have originated from the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which orbits the sun every 415 years. The Lyrids form when the debris from the comet enters the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of around 49 km/s and burns due to friction into blazing lights. They radiate from the constellation Lyra, adjacent to Vega, one of the brightest stars in the Northern hemisphere. Thus, the name, Lyrids. Known for their speed and brightness, historically, as many as 100 meteors could be seen falling per hour.
When can you watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
NASA and the Royal Museums Greenwich confirm that the peak of the cosmic star show is the night of April 22 into the early hours of April 23. The moon is a 5-day-old crescent that sets early, ensuring a moonless night sky. Thus, this provides the peak viewing window, between 2 AM and 5 AM.
Under ideal conditions of cloudless dark skies, you can expect 10-12 meteors per hour. While Lyrids aren’t the most frequent, they are known to produce occasional fireballs, exceptionally bright streaks that leave glowing dust trails. However, stargazing is not about watching and capturing; it is about endless patience and waiting.
Where can you watch the Lyrids around Delhi?
Unfortunately, Delhi skies are the least adapted for a night of stargazing. The light pollution and the heavy air pollution are the main enemies. The nearest spots on the outskirts are the best bets. especially for Lyrids, one does not need a telescope but a wide, dark patch of sky.
1. Damdama Lake & Sohna
Located on the outskirts of Gurugram, the Aravalli ridge provides a natural barrier to most of the city’s lights. With options of lakeside camping, this is a great spot. Yet, being surrounded by Delhi and Gurgaon, there is a 50-50 chance of whether you can view the showers with the naked eye.
2. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering an area of almost 32.71 km2 on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range, the sanctuary gets away from city lights as much as possible. If you can find a spot near the Surajkund side or the trail entries for hikes, they provide areas significantly darker than the Delhi NCR region.
3. The Kesari Bagh
Rural farmstays in Gurgaon, about 40-50 km away in Maneswar/Gurgaon periphery, are becoming astro-tourism spots. With minimal artificial lighting and comfortable lounging areas, they provide great spots to stare at the stars.
4. Astroport Sariska
This one might be a 3-4 hour drive into Rajasthan but absolutely worth it if you are looking for a serious comic view. It is India’s first astronomy-themed resort with a guaranteed Bortly Class 4 sky, that is, one of the darkest near Delhi. Moreover, they have telescopes, professional guides, and camping grounds.
Things to keep in mind
- It takes about 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. So, put your phone away as it can ruin your night vision.
- You don’t have to find the constellation Lyra to see the meteors, but looking towards the Northeast sky generally helps.
- Always check the AQI since dust can easily haze the view. Simultaneous, be on the look out for the weather. A clear, post-breeze night is ideal.
- Beware of your safety. Unless you have planned a staycation, stay alert in Delhi NCR while going out after midnight.
